Salt water reel



Nov. 17, 1931.

C. T. PFLUEGER ET AL Filed July 5o,` 1927 SALT WATER REEL 2 Sheets-Sheet l f IN1/EN TOR). Ch ar/s 7.- /7//Ue7er A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 17, 1931. c. T. PFLUEGER ET Al.

SALT WATER REEL Filed July 50, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5y y gmt/wwf ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE CHARLES T. PFLUEGER AND WALTER L. ADAMS, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE ENTERPRISE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO i SALT WATER REEL Application filed J'uly 30, 192'?.

This invent-ion relates to fishing reels and particularly to that type oi' reel which is adapted for salt water fishing, having the several features which adapt the reel for this type of fishing together with additional features and combinations as will be set out more fully herein.

The objects ot the invention are to improve upon reels of Vthis type 'by the provision of adjustable brake mechanism under the control of the fisherman at allV times, together with adjustable drag mechanism and free spool devices, so that the reel may be used with greater facility and eiliciency in the catching oi3 large salt water fish. Itis also an object of the invention to construct a new form of brake mechanism by which a more powerful braking action than obtainable Vin prior reel structures may be applied to the spool and to combine this with a click mecha nism of an improved type. y

Other objects of the invention are to improve upon details of the drag mechanism, and the construction of the end plates of the reel. It is also an object of the invention to improve upon the spool construction. Other objects are to construct a compact, easily opF erated reel which is particularly adapted for the very heavy strain and pressures which are encountered in deep sea fishing.

The drawings show the preferred form of the invention in detail, it` being understood that the features of the invention may be employed in other specific reel constructions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the complete reel structure.;

Figure 2 is asection on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure t is a side elevation looking at the front plate of the reel;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6--6 of Figure l; and

Serial No. 209,493.

lars 3 and a foot plate a which is usually formed as a single casting with a reel seat 5 by which the reel is attached to the rod, the foot plate being a heavier construction than the pillars. The plates and connected parts form` the reel housing.

The front plate 1 is of somewhat heavier construction than the back plate as it forms a housing for the gears and spool driving mechanism. Each of the plates comprises a composition or hard rubber face 6 having a recessed metal backing plate 7 on its inner surface. This metal plate is stamped out oi comparatively heavy sheet metal, the edges oi' the plates being` faced with a lighter metal ring 8 angular in cross-section and` iitting over the edge of the plate 7 and around the edges of the rubber backing plate. The reason for constructing the end plates in the manner described is to obtain a sharp edge which will closely fit the spool flanges 10, thus preventing catching of the line between the edges of the spool flanges and the adj acent rim of the metal plate. It is impracticable to stamp heavy metal such as should be employed in the backing plates with sharp corners to make a close-lit with the spool flanges. By theV employment of the light metal rings on the edges of the back plate, a closelit may be secured as the metal'can be cut accurately to fit the spool flanges. These rings are held in place by extensions of the pillars and `foot plate which enter recesses-in the ring flanges.

The spoolis designated by the numeral 12, being made in two sections 13 iitted over the spool shaft or spindle 16. The outer ends of the sections are each formed with a heavy flange 17 against which the spool flange l0 is seated, the metal of the spool section being spun or pressed about the inner edges of the spool flange, as shown at 18. It is usual, in forming spools, to apply the spool flanges to the outside vof the spool and spin the metal This construction, however, affords a very Cil weak support for the spool flanges and with the excessively severe strains imposed upon the spool iange in the reeling-in of large fish, the spun-over flanges of the prior construction will often give way. By the formation of the heavy outer flanges 17, however, the spool flanges are adequately reinforced and backed up against the strain exerted upon them.

In order to assemble the spool and spool flanges, it is necessary to divide the main body of the spool in the two sections as has been described. The spool sections are assembled by passing them over the shaft 16 and by providing the inner end of each spool section with a screw-threaded recess 2G, which engages a screw-threaded sleeve or nipple 21 at the center of the spool, Then the spool sections have been assembled in the manner described, the sections are fastened to the shaft by means of riveted transverse pins 22 and 23, one of which may be in tubular form so as to provide anchorage for the end of the line. 'Vhen the spool sections are brought together, a very close fit is provided s0 that the line of separation is practically invisible. In order to obtain this result, the inner ends of the spool sections may be concaved or countersunk, as indicated at 24, so that an edge Contact is assured. The degree of countersinking is very slight, the showing in the drawing being exaggerated for the purpose of making it clear.

The shaft 16 is mounted in a bushing 30 in the back plate, which is surmounted by a screw-threaded thrust bearing 31 surrounded bv tension cup 32. Gn the front plate, the shaft is mounted in a bushing 33 surmounted by a thrust bearing 3s. Between the head of the thrust bearing and the front plate is located the rotatable oiling ring 35 which is provided with an oil hole 36,'adapted to be brought into register with a similar hole 37 in the thrust bearing, through which oil may be admitted to the thrust bearing and adjacent parts.

The bushing 33 is provided wih an annular recess 39 and with an inwardly extending flange l0 which extends to the inner surface of the back plate, being removably secured in position by means of the rim 4Q. Rotatable upon the end of the shaft 16 is a spool driving pinion which is seated in the recess in the bushing. being confined therein by the flange 40 and by the mechanism to be later described. The pinion is driven by an inter-meshing driving gear 46 mounted at one side of the reel housing, the flange of the bushing being cut away to permit such engagement of the gear and pinion. The pinion 4-5 is in non-rotative, but sliding engagement with a shiftable clutch 18, preferably by mounting the latter upon an integral squared shank 50 formed as an extension of the pinion.

The clutch element 4S is formed with a plurality, preferably two, of integral pins 51, one side of each pin being beveled, these pins being cut from the metal of the clutch member and thereby affording greater strength and more compactness than would be afforded by riveting` pins in place on the clutch or spool. The end of the spool adjacent the clutch is provided with a recess 52 in which is seated a disk 53 having a plurality of holes therein in which the pins 51 are adapted to engage when the clutch is moved toward the spool. The disk 53 is held in place by spinning themetal of the spool over the disk, as indicated at 55, and by dewels or pins.

The clutch is moved toward and from the spool to make or break driving connection between the spool and pinion by means of a lever 58, having forked endsI 59 which engage a groove 60 formed in the clutch member. The lever 58 is provided with parallel .lugs or ears 62 which are received between the lugs G3 stamped upwardly from the metal of the plate 7, a pivot Sil being passed through the lugs upon which the lever may be rocked. A coil spring 65 is wrapped about the pivot. one end bearing against the under side of the lever and the other end against the front plate so that the tendency of the spring is to move the clutch into engagement with the spool. The end of the lever remote from the clutch is formed with a downwardlyv turned hookeshaped formation GG which is held by the spring in contact with a rotary cam button 68 having a transverse groove 69 and fiat lands or elevated surfaces 70. rlhis construe tion of the cam button assures a positive holding of the lever in its extreme positions of adjustment and the flat surfaces and the groove will retain the lever in a position of rest at either limit of movement of the cam luitton.r and when the cam button is moved to bring the clutch into engagement with the spool, the inclined walls of the groove will cause the button to snap into position under the force of the coil spring. The cam button stem 7 2 extends through the front plate and is squared at its outer extremitv where it is held within a plate 73 bv a screw 74. An operating arm 7 5 extends from the plate 73 and overhangs the edge of the front plate in convenient position for manipulation by the Esherman. It will be noted that when the reel is taken apart, the pinion 4:5 and the clutch 48 cannot be lost. being` confined within the flange on the bushing 33 by the clutch operat ing lever.

The spool is driven through the gear 46 which has previously been referred to. The central or bodv portion of the gear is formed as a disk 30 rotatable upon the main driving shaft. 81 which is journaled upon a post and held thereon by a pin and i s passed through the center of a. sleeve 83 secured upon the front plate. The post is secured in position by' attachment to a bridge piece 8/1 fastened to the inner face of the `front plate, but slightly elevated therefrom. Adjustable frictional driving force is transmitted to the gear d@ by meansof friction disks 86 at either side of the disk 80, one of these dis is being supported by a flange 87 formed as a part ofth shaft 81 and the other by a sliding di Q non-rotatively connected to the shaft 8," set screvT 89 received in a slot in the disk. Pressure is exerted upon the drivi o members for the gear 46 by an adjustable s Wheel 90 having screw-threaded engagem-entV vv'ith'y the outer endl of the shaft 81. A roller bearing cage 92 is interposed between the star Wheel and the outer disk 88, being telescoped with the star Wheel by means of an inwardly projecting flange 91 on the star Wheel. This cage is inseparably connected together, as shown in Figure 1, sothat when lthe reel is taken apart for cleaninn' and oiling, the roller bearing will remain intact. l.When the drag mechanism operates upon the unreelmg` of the line, tlieclutch being` engaged. the shaft 8l is held from rotation in reverse direction b v a l ratchet 93 secured to the shaft and engaged by a pavvl or pawls 93a on the bridge plate 841-. Near the outer end of the shaft .Q1 is provided a squared portion-9d over which is received the hub 95 of an operating crank handle 96. The hub is'forined as a separate bushing, having a permanent, nou-rotative connection with the crank. The outer end ot the shaft is reduced and screw-threaded and in a recess in the crank handle is seated a cap nut 98 which holds the crank handle in pla ce upon the shaft. It Will be observed that the hub of the crank handle is recessed to receive the cap nut so that its rounded outer surface is substantially flush with the surface of the handle. By this arrangement, no possibility of injury to the fisherman can arise due to striking a large or sharp projection at the hub of the nut 98 handle. In order to secure the crank in position and prevent it 'from Working loose, the outer surface thereof is provided With ratchet teeth which are engaged. by a nivoted dog 99 projecting through an opening in the crank and held in position by a sct screiv 100 on the crank handle.

In addition to the adjustable drag Which may be exerted upon the spool through the driving` mechanism which has been des bed, the reel also provides for a more ifiovverful braking action exerted through mechanism mounted on the back plate.

To the end of the spool adjacent the back plate is fastened a brake drum 105, the inner surface or Wall of thevdruin providing the braking surface for the spool. The outer surfaceof the brake drum is formed with a plurality of rounded teeth 106, with which are adapted to be engaged by the adjustable click paivl 108 mounted in radial slot 109 on the back plate by means of a pin and button 110. The. paivl is yieldingly held in proper radial position bymeans of twooppositely positioned Wire click springs 112 which lie against the back plate, being held in position by clips 113. rl`he ends of the Wires .bearing against the pawl are bent up- Wardly, as shown at 114, While the other ends are bent downwardly and receivedY in. holes 115on the back plate.

The braking action is secured by means of tivo arc-shaped brake shoes 118 which are pivoted to the back plate at 119. The brake shoes are each made of a single piece o?" Bakelite or similar material. The free ends of the brake shoes are forced together by means of a coil spring 120 Which keeps the j shoes out of contact with the iiange of the brake drum. rEhe ends of the shoes bear against a '.lat button 122 formed on a rounded hub 123 rotatably mounted in the back plate.

The outer end of the button is squared and .i

to this squared end is ecured an operating lever 124 which entends over the outer edge of the back plate, being guided in an arcshaped plate 125 secured to the back plate. By moving the leverI 124 the shoes are en panded to bear against the inner surface of the brake drum and a very powerful braking action is obtained. The lever 124 is formed at its outer end With a reverselybent end or tail piece as shown in Figure 3, which pro; jects Within the outer circumference of the end plate 2 and is guided thereby. Writhin the curved portion of the lever is secured al filler piece 128 which affords a finger rest in the operation of the brake lever. This, in combination with the ustable drag on the crank handle or separable therefrom, gives a very avide range of manipulation to the spool and renders it more eiiicient than previous reel constructions of this type. or pivoted ends of the shoes are in rolling contact With one another throughout the entire movement so that they mutually supportone another and relieve the strain upon the rivets.

The operation and advantages of the reel structure Which have been shown and described Will be readily noted by those familiar with thi. art. Changes and modifications may be made in details of `he construction Without departure from the invention as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:

.1i In a fishing reel, a reel housing, a spool therein, means for driving the spool, and a brake mechanisnifor the spool comprisingT a brake drum att-ached to the spool` a pair of brake shoes movable upon the reel housing, i,fieldinn` `means for moving the brake shoe alivay iroin the drum, and a lever actuated cani but-ton journuled off center the reel housing for moving the brake shoes toward the drum.

2. ln a fishing reel, a reel end plate, a spool in the reel means for drivin@ the s col. a.

T he inner brake drum having a flange thereon attached to the spool, a pair of pivoted arc-shaped braio shoes mounted on the end plate and lying within the flange, and means for rocking the shoes about their pivots comprising a lever on the l' ack plate and a rotatable button located oil" center of the spool between the free ends of the brake slices and connected to the lever.

3. In a fishing reel, a reel end plate, a spool in the reel, a. brake drum having a flange thereon attached to the spool, braking means mounted on the end plate and operable against the inner surface ofthe flange, the outer su ce of the flange bein g formed With teeth, and a click paul engageablc With the teeth.

l. In a fishing reel, a reel end plate, a spool in the reel, a brake drum having a flange thereon attached to the spool, braking means mounted on the end plate and operable against the inner surface of the flange, means actuated from the exterior of the reel for controlling the action of the braking means, Lhe outer surface of the flange being formed with teeth, and a click panl engageable with the teeth.

5. In a fishing reel, the combination of a spool, adjustable brake mechanism for the spool, the force of which is controlled eXteriorly of the reel and an adjustable click mechanism comprising a ratchet integral with a brake drum.

6. In a fishing reel, a driving gear therefor, a shaft supporting said gear, an integral crank keyed upon the shaft, a nut to secure the crank in position upon the shaft, the' crank being` recessed to receive the nut so that its outer surface is substantially flush with the crank and releasable means for locking the nut to the shaft.

7. In a fishing reel, a driving gear therefor, a shaft for said gear, an integral crank arm keyed directly upon the shaft, a nut to secure the crank arm in position upon the shaft, the crank being recessed to receive the nut so th at its outer surface is substantially Hush With the crank, and means to secure the nut comprising a pawl on the crank and teeth upon the nut with which the paivl is engaged.

S. In a fishing reel, a driving gear therefor, a shaft supporting said gear, an integral crank keyed upon the shaft, a nut to secure the crank in position on the shaft, the periphery of the nut being provided'with teeth, and a paWl located on the under side of the crank and projecting through the body of the crank to engage the teeth.

9. In a free spool fishing reel, a front plate` a flanged bushing removably fixed in the front plate, a spool having a spindle bearing in the bushing, and a thrust bearing capping said bushing and limiting the end movement of said spindle. ,Y

10. In a free spool shing reel, a front plate, a flanged bushing removably fixed in the front plate, a spool having a spindle bearing in the bushing, a pinion located in the bushing, the flange being cut away at one point and a gear projecting through the cutaway portion to intcrmesh with the pinion, and a thrust bearing capping said bushing and limiting the end movement of said spin dle.

1l. In a fishing reel, a spool, an end plate comprising a composition face member and a metal member closely backing and supporting said face member, the backing member being recessed only where necessary for the accommodation of the spool operating mechanism, and a separate thin flanged facing ring attached to the end plate the thin inner edge of the facing ring fitting closely about the spool flange.

12. A fishing reel having an end plate` a lever pivoted in the end plate and extending beyond the periphery thereof, a return bent extremity on the lever which extends Within the outer peripheryY of the end plate, and a filler piece Within the curved portion of the lever, said filler piece affording a finger rest.

CHARLES T. PFIJUEGER. VILTIQR L. ADAliS. 

